April 21, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today made the following statement on the floor of the U.S. Senate in recognition of the Las Vegas Sun winning the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service:

“It’s not every day we get to read good news in the newspaper.  And it’s certainly not common, of late, to read good news about newspapers.

“But today is one of those rare days.  A newspaper in my state – the Las Vegas Sun – has won the Pulitzer Prize because of a courageous young journalist named Alexandra Berzon.

“I am proud that the Pulitzer is coming to Nevada.  This is only the second time a Nevada paper has received the most prestigious award in journalism, and the first time in more than 30 years.

“But I am especially proud because the Sun has been recognized for public-service reporting that uncovered lax safety standards and led to actual policy changes that are saving lives.

“The Las Vegas strip recently saw a $32 billion building boom.  But something else was going up along with the hotels and casinos – the unnecessary deaths of construction workers.  Twelve workers died in just 18 months.

“Berzon’s careful reporting led to important safety improvements, and not one worker has died since those changes took effect.

“I applaud Alexandra Berzon, her editors, and everyone at the Sun, which has a storied history of solid investigative journalism.  This kind of reporting is a model for reporters everywhere to follow.

“Of the 21 Pulitzer categories, only one – the public service award – does not come with a cash prize.  It is a reminder that journalism in its most fundamental role – as a disinterested watchdog for our communities, our cities and our country – benefits all of us.”